Full Shield round canceled after Hughes injury

SYDNEY (AP) — Cricket Australia has canceled the full round of Sheffield Shield matches in the wake of the head injury that left Phillip Hughes in a critical condition in a Sydney hospital.

The New South Wales vs. South Australia match was abandoned Tuesday after Hughes collapsed after being hit in the head by a short-pitch delivery and was rushed to St. Vincent’s hospital, where he underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and remains in intensive care.

The incident has stunned cricket followers, with an outpouring of support for the 25-year-old Hughes coming from players, ex-players, fans and officials around the world.

Matches in Brisbane and Melbourne were canceled Wednesday, with Cricket Australia official Pat Howard saying “given how players across the country are feeling, it’s just not the day to be playing cricket.”